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September 29, 2014

FROM THE CAGE TO THE RING, BOYINGTON AND CHARLES TO SHOW VERSATILITY IN PRO BOXING DEBUTS

[NEF Press Release]

Lewiston, Maine (September 26, 2014) –New England Fights (NEF), America's number-one regional fight promotion, will present its inaugural boxing event on October 11, 2014 at the historic Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. It will be the first professional boxing event in Lewiston in more than ten years and the first in the building, famous for the Muhammad Ali-Sonny Liston World Heavyweight Title rematch of May 1965, in close to twenty years.

The fight card will feature a junior middleweight contest scheduled for four-rounds between debuting professional boxers Bruce "Pretty Boy" Boyington and Nate Charles. Fans of NEF are, of course, very familiar with both athletes from their time in NEF Boxing's sister promotional brand New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA). They have been regulars in the NEF MMA cage since the promotion's inception, Boyington having competed on eight of NEF MMA's previous events and Charles having competed as an amateur on six of those events. Both are known for their striking abilities, and each holds a memorable, highlight-reel knockout victory in the NEF MMA cage - Boyington over Keegan Hornstra in June 2012 and Charles over Rob Vanadestine in November 2012.

"This should be a real treat," exclaimed NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. "Getting to watch both of these guys do what they do best and not have to worry about takedowns or submissions. This fight has all the potential to steal the show at our inaugural boxing event."

Boyington, a Taekwondo specialist and veteran of the United States Marine Corps, is the reigning NEF MMA Lightweight Champion. He won the vacant title earlier this month over Jesse "The Viking" Erickson via technical knockout. Boyington and Erickson will meet in a rematch at NEF MMA's next event, "NEF XV," on November 15 in Lewiston, but Boyington's focus at the moment is on the boxing match with Charles.

"I'm very excited, as usual, to be a part of something historical in the combat sports industry and being on this boxing card for New England Fights is no different," stated Boyington. "I worked a lot on my boxing over the years, and although my heart lies heavily in MMA, I'm very thrilled at the idea of someone not allowed takedowns and having to stand in front of me the whole time - that's a first for me and I promise people, you will be surprised at what comes next. Stay tuned. Thank you to Matt Peterson and Nick DiSalvo for giving me such an opportunity in life."

Charles is the owner and head coach of Balanced Ground MMA. Like his opponent, Charles is also a military veteran having served in the United States Navy. Also like Boyington, Charles has expressed his excitement over being able to showcase his striking skills at NEF Boxing without having to worry about takedowns and grappling.

"First of all, thanks to NEF and Bruce Boyington for the great opportunity," said Charles when reached for comment. "Turning pro was definitely not done from a place of arrogance ,but rather a better justification for spending so much time away from home. Finally no takedowns to worry about, just hands flying. How exciting. I'm fortunate and proud to be part of this historic event. Not to mention boxing against the NEF MMA Lightweight Champ in his first boxing match. Two MMA strikers in a boxing match should make for a fan-friendly fight. I'll be ready. Come out and support NEF and your local Maine fighters October 11th."

NEF's next event "NEF BOXING" takes place on October 11, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The fight card will feature rising star Brandon "The Cannon" Berry (7-0), as well as Stevie Gamache (4-0), the son of former World Champion Joey Gamache. Tickets for "NEF BOXING" start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF fight videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow the promotion on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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Travis Sinclair
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9/29/2014